Vermont Air Guard continues F-35 flights after Florida crash

By Aidan Quigley
May 27, 2020

The Vermont National Guard is continuing F-35 flights after one of the stealth aircraft crashed in Florida earlier this month.

The F-35 fighter jet crashed at the Eglin Air Force Base May 19 during a routine training flight, according to an Air Force statement.

The pilot ejected from the jet before the crash, according to the statement, and was taken to the hospital in stable condition. He was released from the hospital the next day, according to Air Force Times.

The crash, which occurred around 9:30 p.m., is under investigation, according to the Air Force. There were no fatalities nor damage to civilian property, the statement said.

Lt. Chelsea Clark, a public affairs officer for the Vermont National Guard, said the Guard had not received any orders to pause or stop the flights.

“There was nothing that has come down from higher headquarters in terms of a higher concern, we are still flying our operations here locally,” she said.

Clark said the pilot’s ability to eject without harm reflected the safety of the jets.

“Luckily, the pilot was able to walk away,” she said. “It’s good to know the systems

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